By Deniece Griffin
Elissa Russell (M.Ed. ’20), founder of READI Consulting
When Elissa Russell (M.Ed.’20), founder of READI Consulting applied for the Start It Up Georgia program offered at Atlanta Tech Village, she had no idea that she would be one of over 700 to be accepted into the popular 12-week program. What’s even more impressive, was the fact that she ultimately was one of only seven to actually receive a grant for her business venture. At graduation on Tuesday, November 10, Elissa was awarded $2,500 to take her business to the next level.
Upon asking what she intends to do with the grant monies, Elissa replied, “I intend to use it for administrative support as I prepare to fulfill a new contract for financial literacy and workforce readiness with the Dekalb WorkSource.”
In the 12-week program, the Start It Up Georgia participants learned everything from how to set up their first website to filing business taxes and from marketing their business to hiring and people management. They met with 41 impressive volunteer mentors in weekly community groups, attended virtual networking sessions, and created some world changing companies.
You may remember, we introduced Elissa to you back in May here on this blog. We featured her startup at that time because of her work ethic and desire to transform lives was apparent. Her business, READI Consulting upskills under educated and underemployed low-literate adults. READI assesses the team, creates and delivers workforce readiness trainings that address the workers literacy gaps and improves their employability. Elissa and READI are all about paying it forward and helping others.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute wishes to congratulate Elissa for this achievement. To learn more about the amazing work she and her team are doing today, visit their website.